Study: American Women Drinking More Alcohol

High-risk drinking – defined as having four or more drinks per day at least once a week, every week, for a year, and five or more for men – is on the rise in America. And ladies as well as adults over age 65 are most at risk, according to a new study published in JAMA Psychiatry. 

Researchers at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism compared the self-reported drinking habits of two groups: more than 43,000 adults from 2001-2002, and more than 36,000 adults from 2012-2013. 

Here is a summary of the findings:

• The number of Americans who said they drank alcohol in the last year increased 11%. 
• Alcohol use disorders increased nearly 50%.
• High-risk drinking increased almost 30%.
• For women, high-risk drinking increased close to 60%, and alcohol use disorder increased nearly 84%.
• For men, high-risk drinking increased 15% and alcohol use disorder increased close to 35%.
• For adults 65 and older, high-risk drinking increased 65% and alcohol use disorders increased close to 107%.

Researchers are calling the drinking levels in the U.S. a "public health crisis," yet exactly what's causing these high levels remains unclear. Some theories include rising numbers of women in the workforce, stress and the fact that it has become more acceptable for women to drink in similar ways as men, the researchers note. 

Spotting the Signs of Alcoholism
According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), alcohol use disorder includes the following four symptoms:  

• Craving: a strong need or urge to drink.
• Loss of control: not being able to stop drinking once drinking has begun.
• Physical dependence: withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness and anxiety, after stopping drinking.
• Tolerance: the need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to get “high.”

Alcohol Abuse Treatment for Women 

Rising Roads Recovery is dedicated to helping women who are struggling with alcohol use disorder and/or a co-occurring mental disorder. Our treatment center was created to inspire women to thrive in recovery. To learn more, call today: 866-746-1558.